3 Exercises Good For You and Your Baby

Women all over America wonder how they will ever get back into their pre-pregnancy shape. After gaining 30, 40, 50 or more pounds during pregnancy, even those who started out thin find their bodies have revolted. However, there are some fun exercises you can do to start your body off in the right direction and they include your baby.

Baby Bench Press
This is actually a favorite of mine because I get to do it lying down. (I know it sounds pretty lazy for weight loss, but my baby is 3 months old and I am tired.) Laying on your back, hold the baby with your palms on your baby's ribs. Then, gently press the baby up towards the ceiling and lower it back to your face.

Personally, I like to give a little wiggle to make my son giggle at the top. Then when I bring him back down, I give him a kiss on his forehead. I do these 10 times, rest, and repeat for a total of 3 sets.

Baby Squat & Arm Curls
We are all familiar with squats. However, when you do them with a baby, it is a bit more fun and your baby will get a kick out of it.

I like to start in a wide leg position holding the baby to my chest. As I bend my legs, I lower the baby as well. When I come back up, I raise the baby back to my chest. To get a better picture, it looks like I am swinging the baby down between my legs and swinging him back up. I do this 8 times, rest and repeat for 3 sets.

Again, babies love this motion and will have a tendency to giggle.

Baby Tricep Press
Standing straight and tall, hold the baby at the ribs. This is the same grip as the baby bench press. Then raise the baby straight over your head. Bend the elbows to lower the baby to your face for a quick kiss. Only your forearms should move.

After just a few reps of this, you will feel your triceps start burning. This is great because it will get rid of the extra wave under your arm!

While you can do all these without your baby, it is great to do with your baby. Babies need the vestibular stimulation that comes from the motion. Therefore, you are providing your baby a much needed stimulus as well as working out.